July 23, 2009 - Lilly Lines

LILLY LINES

By Jack Barlick

886-4694

July, 24, 2009

GREAT GAME

If you were not there you missed a great baseball game between the Lilly American Legion/ Conrad Chiropractic City League team and the Zanesville, Ohio Triple AAABA team. The game went seven innings with Lilly winning 3-2. The Zanesville coach told Ron Davison that Lilly was the best team they played this year.

The afternoon match up was an exhibition game for the benefit of Keith Maul, the wounded Iraqi War veteran who attended and was made an honorary member of the Lilly team. He was given game jersey 6, unknowing in advance that #6 was his game shirt when he led Portage to the state championship games in 2006. His wife Meghan threw out the first pitch to a round of applause from the audience.

There was a nice turnout of Zanesville family and fans, who actually requested that halupki, be on the refreshment stand menu, Lilly fans, City League followers and Keith and Megan’ friends and family from Lilly including the Fordick’s and Patterson’s. Attendees were generous at the gate and several dropped by or sent advance donations even though they could not attend the game. The event raised over $1100 including the gate receipts, 50/50 and the Wounded Warrior Group. A nice donation of $100 was sent by the Nanty Glo VFW. The Lilly American Legion and Conrad Chiropractic funded an after game lunch for both teams at the field.

Thank you’s are extended to the many who helped make the event successful including, both ball teams, Ron Davison, George Klayko, Francis Risko, Ron Muldoon and Bob Monahan, the kitchen staff, the Lilly Legion Color Guard, Steve Suchta, Fire policeman Bob Klayko, the Patterson family, Jennifer Sklodowski, the Lilly American Legion and Tyler Conrad and all who attended or donated.

VISITOR

I had the pleasure of showing a very nice young lady from Brooklyn NY around town on Sunday July 19th before the game. Nicole Kenney had called earlier that she was visiting Lilly as her grandmother, Mary Gabelick was born here in 1903 a daughter of John and Catherine Gabelick, her mother and father were of Yugoslavian (Croatian) descent and Nicole knew Mary’s dad was a miner here.

Nicole was very interested in seeing the company houses in Lilly Coal and the rock dumps, both reminders of the era of mining here. I also showed her the former company houses on Scanlan Hill, in Benscreek and Oil City, the Legion murals and several monuments in town..

We also stopped at St. Brigid’s and Mount Carmel cemeteries in a quick search for a great aunts grave.

Nicole has a web site: What I want to do before I die. org. She interviews people internationally, including a trip to India, takes a Polaroid picture and posts that picture and their wants on the web page. She was able to talk to quite a few residents around the area and at the ball game. She plans to bring her mother to Lilly for a visit next year’s Lilly firemen week in June, 2010.

PONY LEAGUE

There will be a Pony League Baseball Tournament at the Lilly War Memorial Field this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24, 25, and 26^th. Stop by and watch some games.

In other baseball news Lilly’s City League team stands at 15 and 2 as the season winds down. Now’s the time to start thinking about rooting for their 7^th annual Championship title

BIRTHDAYS

Today, July 24^th, Elaine Klayko, Dianne Reffner and Hannah Sibis celebrate their birthdays as will Jeanne Kodosky ,Jay Stiffler, Sam Podrasky Jr. and George Wozniak on the 25^th. Its party time on the 26^th for Denise Askins, John Steck, Renee Behe, Richard Lingefelt and Ann McCabe. Then on the 27^th Les Kiel and John Mutsko celebrate birthdays.

July 28^th will find Bonita Gressick observing her birthday as will Madeline Mitchell on the 29^th. July 30^th is a busy day as Heather Agosta, Donald Hmiel, Margaret McGarry, Susan Rambeai and Ruby Tickerhoof all enjoy their birthdays. Happy Birthday to All

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Cheryl and Jerry Bender celebrate their anniversary today, July 24^th as will Deborah and Mark Wilson on the 25^th. Gerald and Shirley Wilson celebrate on the 26^th; Don and Julianna Ricupero celebrate on the 29^th. Best wishes to each couple.

WHERE IS SUMMER

Other than a here or there warm day or evening we just haven’t seen summer this year, even the gardeners say the vegetables aren’t growing as the evenings are too cool. I know the inside ceiling fans haven’t been used much this year and even the windows aren’t open.

Flowers though seem not to mind the cool evenings as I have noticed very nice white shoots on Yucca plants and some Lily’s in different yards that are absolutely beautiful. The wild tiger lilies really burst out in their orange color this year. Even the wild mountain laurel displayed nice flowers. There are also many wild daisies dotting the road to Lilly Coal.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Jim is still in search of a breast plate used by miners to drill a hole to set the dynamite charge, if you can help him out, call 886-7282. PJ Sloan recently donated several interesting items for the Heritage Room including a flashing light that was attached to the last coal car as they were brought out of the mine, a brakeman’s club that was used by a railroad brakeman as he walked the top of cars on a moving train. A very dangerous job, in fact, PJ’s uncle Arthur Sloan was killed doing such a job.

PJ also donated a PRR First Aid Kit in a red tin and a miner’s dinner bucket that belonged to Bill “Timbers” Monahan. Bill was a WW1 veteran who was a participant with others from Lilly against the KKK in the riot of 1924.

My list of veterans topped 2170 last week with several really good stories and pictures arriving. 130 pages have been developed so far so I do fill like I’m on schedule. I welcome your story or that of your father, uncles, brother, sister or grandfathers don’t have their story being among the missing when the book is finished. Any questions call me at 814-886-4694

BILLBOARD

More citizens have expressed an opposition to the proposed bill board on Evergreen Street. If you are opposed and see a councilman let them know your feelings or attend the meeting on August 4^th.

Coming into town from the north on 53 as you top the little knuckle the first view in Lilly is some trees and the distant cement bridge to Barker town and the tree lines on the side of the hills. Then as you round the curb you are greeted by the Our Lady of the Alleghenies complex, a pleasant view. Do we really want this view replaced by a large billboard with two signs both ways that are lighted all night? I think not.